The Jackson State University Athletics Department has announced its 2018 football schedule. JSU’s 11-game schedule features five teams with winning records and one that played in a bowl game.

The Tigers open the 2018 season on the road in three noted games in which JSU and the opponent are no strangers. The season opener is a historic meeting against Southern Miss on Sept. 1 in Hattiesburg. The two teams have met only twice (1987 and 2002).

One of the highlights of the schedule is the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, on Sept. 8. JSU and Tennessee State will meet for the 26th time in the annual clash in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The classic has become a southern tradition, and one of the best football classics in the country. The 47,407 attendance figure from the 2017 classic ranks No. 5 in the nation.

On Sept. 15, the Tigers travel to Tallahassee, Florida, to face the Florida A&M Rattlers. The two teams last squared off four years ago when JSU beat FAMU 22-17 on a game-winning Hail Mary in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Tigers will open conference play Sept. 29 in the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in the home opener. The Tigers will host Alabama A&M in the 11th Annual W.C. Gordon Classic.

In October, the Tigers will welcome back all alums, including former gridiron standout Vincent Dancy – the first-year head coach of in-state rival Mississippi Valley State. The Tigers will host the Delta Devils for the 2018 homecoming game on October 13. The Tigers will then host North Alabama in the first-ever gridiron meeting between the two programs on Oct. 20.

The Tigers’ season home finale is set for Nov. 3 when JSU hosts Prairie View A&M for senior day. The regular season finale will end in Lorman on Nov. 17, as the Tigers and the Alcorn State Braves square off for in-state bragging rights.

The 2018 season will culminate with the 4th annual Celebration Bowl in Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, December 15.

The 2018 schedule can be found on JSU’s official athletics website: gojsutigers.com.

For information on purchasing JSU football season tickets, call 601.979.2420.